Simultaneous Administration of Dexamethasone and Vitamin E Reversed Experimental Varicocele-induced Impact in testicular tissue in Rats; Correlation with Hsp70-2 Chaperone Expression

Relationship between plasma homocysteine and clinical grading of varicocele

ABSTRACT

This study aims to explore the correlation between plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels and the clinical grading of varicocele (VC) when analyzing the potential pathogenesis of endothelial cells injury by Hcy. A total of 184 VC patients, aged 18-46 years, were included in this study. These patients visited The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University (Dalian, China), between January 2022 and September 2024. Patients were divided into three groups based on clinical grading: Group A (59 cases, Grade I), Group B (28 cases, Grade II), and Group C (97 cases, Grade III). Additionally, 120 individuals with normal fertility test results during the same period were selected as the control group. Routine blood and biochemical indices were collected from the patients. Differences in clinical indices between groups were compared, and univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with clinical grading. The results showed that the median Hcy levels in the control group and in patients with Grade I, II, and III VC were 9.56 (interquartile range [IQR]: 8.66, 14.02) µmol l-1, 11.28 (IQR: 9.71, 14.55) µmol l-1, 11.84 (IQR: 10.14, 15.60) µmol l-1, and 12.27 (IQR: 9.52, 15.40) µmol l-1, respectively. The differences between the four groups were statistically significant (χ2 = 12.41, P = 0.006). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that Hcy is a factor associated with the clinical grading of VC (t = 2.53, P = 0.013). Hcy is associated with the clinical grading and may have clinical value in assessing severity of VC.

Insight into inflammation involvement in varicocele: A narrative review

BACKGROUND

Varicocele is one of the main causes of male infertility. Although the pathophysiology mechanism of varicocele is very well described and understood, there are some unanswered questions that remains unknown. Some studies have previously described the state of testicular inflammation and sperm in animal models, especially the mouse model, and the seminal plasma of men with varicocele, with or without changes in semen parameters.

METHODS OF STUDY

This review intended to verify the role of inflammatory mechanism in varicocele, using clinical studies as well as animal model studies on the effect of inflammation caused by varicocele on the function of testicular somatic and germ cells.

RESULTS

In-vivo studies confirmed whether anti-inflammatory molecules could treat the semen of men with varicocele and rats with varicocele. The use of different anti-inflammatory agents in mouse model studies provided a new perspective for future clinical studies to investigate the effect of concurrent treatment with surgery to improve surgical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Similar to animal model studies, previously conducted clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory therapy in varicocele patients. However, clinical trials using anti-inflammatory are needed to be conducted agents to evaluate different aspects of this therapeutical approach in varicocele patients.

Integrative Bioinformatics Analysis of The Cell Division Cycle and Ribosomal Pathways in The Rat Varicocele: Implications for Drug Discovery

OBJECTIVE

Varicocele is a common cause of male infertility, affecting a substantial proportion of infertile men. Recent studies have employed transcriptomic analysis to identify candidate genes that may be implicated in the pathogenesis of this condition. Accordingly, this study sought to leverage rat gene expression profiling, along with protein-protein interaction networks, to identify key regulatory genes, related pathways, and potentially effective drugs for the treatment of varicocele.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this in-silico study, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from the testicular tissue of 3 rats were screened using the edgeR package in R software and the results were compared to 3 rats in the control group. Data was obtained from GSE139447. Setting a -11 and P<0.05 as cutoff points for statistical significance, up and down-regulated genes were identified. Based on Cytoscape plugins, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were drawn, and hub genes were highlighted. ShinyGO was used for pathway enrichment. Finally, effective drugs were identified from the drug database.

RESULTS

Among the 1277 DEGs in this study, 677 genes were up-regulated while 600 genes were down-regulated in rats with varicocele compared to the control group. Using protein-protein interaction networks, we identified the top five up-regulated genes and the top five down-regulated genes. Enrichment analysis showed that the up-regulated genes were associated with the cell division cycle pathway, while the down-regulated genes were linked to the ribosome pathway. Notably, our findings suggested that dexamethasone may be a promising therapeutic option for individuals with varicocele.

CONCLUSION

The current investigation indicates that in varicocele the cell division cycle pathway is up-regulated while the ribosome pathway is down-regulated compared to controls. Based on these findings, dexamethasone could be considered a future candidate drug for the treatment of individuals with varicocele.

Positive Effects of the Nutraceutical Association of Lycopene and Selenium in Experimental Varicocele

Many natural substances commonly found in healthy diets have been studied for their potential to reduce male infertility associated with varicocele. A positive role of selenium (Se) or lycopene alone was demonstrated in experimental varicocele, while no data are available on their association. One group of male Sprague-Dawley rats was sham operated and daily treated with Se (3 mg/kg, i.p.), lycopene (1 mg/kg, i.p.), or their association. A second group underwent surgery to induce varicocele. Sham and half of the varicocele animals were sacrificed after twenty-eight days, while the residual animals were treated for one more month and then sacrificed. In varicocele animals, testosterone levels and testes weight were reduced, Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression was absent in the tubules and increased in Leydig cells, caspare-3 was increased, seminiferous epithelium showed evident structural changes, and many apoptotic germ cells were demonstrated with TUNEL assay. The treatment with lycopene or Se alone significantly increased testis weight and testosterone levels, reduced apoptosis and caspase-3 expression, improved the tubular organization, decreased HIF-1α positivity of Leydig cells, and restored its tubular positivity. Lycopene or Se association showed a better influence on all biochemical and morphological parameters. Therefore, the nutraceutical association of lycopene plus Se might be considered a possible therapeutic tool, together with surgery, in the treatment of male infertility. However, long-term experimental and clinical studies are necessary to evaluate sperm quantity and quality.

Heat stress and stallion fertility

The threat posed by increased surface temperatures worldwide has attracted the attention of researchers to the reaction of animals to heat stress. Spermatogenesis in animals such as stallions is a temperature-dependent process, ideally occurring at temperatures slightly below the core body temperature. Thus, proper thermoregulation is essential, especially because stallion spermatogenesis and the resulting spermatozoa are negatively affected by increased testicular temperature. Consequently, the failure of thermoregulation resulting in heat stress may diminish sperm quality and increase the likelihood of stallion infertility. In this review, we emphasize upon the impact of heat stress on spermatogenesis and the somatic and germ cells and describe the subsequent testicular alterations. In addition, we explore the functions and molecular responses of heat shock proteins, including HSP60, HSP70, HSP90, and HSP105, in heat-induced stress conditions. Finally, we discuss the use of various therapies to alleviate heat stress-induced reproductive harm by modulating distinct signaling pathways.

Varicocele, Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals: From Mechanisms of Action in Animal Models to Therapeutic Application

Varicocele is one of the main causes of infertility in men, thus representing an important clinical problem worldwide. Inflammation contributes mainly to its pathogenesis, even if the exact pathophysiological mechanisms that correlate varicocele and infertility are still unknown. In addition, oxidative stress, apoptosis, hypoxia, and scrotal hyperthermia seem to play important roles. So far, the treatment of varicocele and the care of the fertility-associated problems still represent an area of interest for researchers, although many advances have occurred over the past few years. Recent experimental animal studies, as well as the current epidemiological evidence in humans, demonstrated that many functional foods of natural origin and nutraceuticals that are particularly abundant in the Mediterranean diet showed anti-inflammatory effects in varicocele. The aim of the present narrative review is to mainly evaluate recent experimental animal studies regarding the molecular mechanisms of varicocele and the state of the art about possible therapeutic approaches. As the current literature demonstrates convincing associations between diet, food components and fertility, the rational intake of nutraceuticals, which are particularly abundant in foods typical of plant-based eating patterns, may be a reliable therapeutic supportive care against varicocele and, consequently, could be very useful in the cure of fertility-associated problems in patients.

Resveratrol reverses male reproductive damage in rats exposed to nicotine during the intrauterine phase and breastfeeding

BACKGROUND

Nicotine leads to reproductive changes culminating in male infertility and subfertility. Resveratrol, a polyphenol, is a biological modulator. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) protein can positively act on male reproduction, and its expression can be affected by nicotine and modulated by resveratrol.

OBJECTIVES

The capability of resveratrol to reverse the reproductive damage in adult male offspring, which was nicotine-exposed during the intrauterine phase and breastfeeding, was investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four groups were established with male offspring born from nicotine-exposed and non-exposed rat dams during pregnancy and lactation. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were distributed into four groups: sham control (SC), resveratrol (R), nicotine (N), and nicotine + resveratrol (NR). Rat dams of the N and NR offspring were exposed to nicotine (2 mg/kg/day) during pregnancy and lactation using a subcutaneously implanted minipump. The offspring of the R and NR groups received resveratrol (300 mg/kg of body weight, gavage) for 63 days from puberty. At 114 days of age, the male rats were euthanized.

RESULTS

Nicotine did not alter the body weight, biometry of reproductive organs, or quantitative sperm parameters of adult offspring but caused an evident worsening of all sperm qualitative parameters studied. Daily treatment with resveratrol from puberty up to adulthood improved all qualitative sperm parameters significantly, leading some of them close to the control values. Resveratrol also improved the morphological integrity and expression of SIRT1 in the seminiferous epithelium of nicotine-exposed offspring.

CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION

Resveratrol reversed the male reproductive damage caused by nicotine. Nicotine crosses the blood-placental membrane and is present in the breast milk of mothers who smoke. Resveratrol restored the altered reproductive parameters in the male adult offspring that were nicotine-exposed during intrauterine life and breastfeeding. The epigenetic modulating action of resveratrol can be involved in this nicotine damage reversion. Resveratrol may be a promising candidate to be investigated regarding the adjuvant strategies in the treatment of male infertility.

Resveratrol benefits on sperm DNA, chromatin structure and reproductive outcomes of varicocelized rats

In varicocele, the main cause of sperm DNA damage is oxidative stress (OS). Resveratrol, a polyphenol with antioxidant properties, can protect cells from injuries caused by OS. We investigated the benefits of resveratrol against reproductive damage caused by experimental varicocele induced from peripuberty. Eighty peripubertal male rats were distributed into 4 groups: sham-control (S), varicocele (V), resveratrol (R) and varicocele treated with resveratrol (VR). Varicocele was induced through the partial ligature of the left renal vein. Resveratrol was given in a daily dose of 300 mg/kg body weight (gavage). Sperm samples were collected at 100 days of age for vitality, DNA fragmentation and chromatin protamination evaluations. OS analyses were carried out. Rats from all groups were mated with healthy primiparous females for evaluation of reproductive capacity and embryonic quality. The V group showed reduction of sperm vitality, altered chromatin protamination and sperm DNA integrity and high levels of OS. The VR group showed an improvement of oxidative status, sperm vitality, DNA integrity and chromatin structure, and an enhancement in the gestational index and embryonic quality. Therefore, we showed in this experimental model that resveratrol is a promising nutraceutical adjuvant and should be deeply studied to mitigate subfertility in varicocele.

Structural analysis of Panax ginseng glycoproteins and its anti-oligoasthenozoospermia effect in vivo

A component from ginseng in which sugars and proteins are covalently bound is named Panax ginseng glycoproteins (PGG). The contents of neutral carbohydrate, acid carbohydrate, and protein were 45.4%, 4.3% and 51.1%. The average molecular weight was 12,690 Da. The structure analysis showed that PGG had more than 1100 glycoproteins with molecular weight between 308.13 Da and 9991.52 Da, it was divided into two parts: long chain structure and short chain structure. These two parts were compared in molecular mass, number of amino acids, theoretical pI, instability index, aliphatic index and GRAVY. The in vivo distribution test of mice showed that PGG was enriched in mice testis, testicular tissue sections showed strong fluorescence signal expression on the surface of seminiferous tubules. We used cyclophosphamide (CP) to establish a mice model of oligoasthenozoospermia to investigate the anti-oligoasthenozoospermic effect of PGG. The results showed that PGG increased the levels of sex hormones T, FSH, PRL and sperm quality. Histopathology demonstrated that PGG promoted the differentiation process. The organ coefficient indicated that PGG had no obvious toxic and side effects. And the mechanism may be to affect the expression of protein levels such as p-ERK/ERK, p-AKT/AKT, Caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax. Therefore, PGG has the potential to develop into drugs for improving spermatogenic disorders.

Oxidative Stress: A Comprehensive Review of Biochemical, Molecular, and Genetic Aspects in the Pathogenesis and Management of Varicocele

Oxidative stress is a condition due to an imbalance between the concentrations of oxidants and antioxidants, and it is a well-recognized contributor in several male infertility conditions. Varicocele, a common vascular condition, may cause male infertility due to hyperthermia, hypoxia and/or exposure to toxic adrenal and renal metabolites. In this review, the mechanisms by which oxidative stress can affect cellular integrity and functions are described, along with molecular markers of cellular oxidative damage, and the most commonly performed techniques for their detection in seminal fluid. Moreover, we focus on the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of varicocele based on recently published evidence from omics based studies, such as proteomics and genomics. Finally, we discuss strategies for the management of oxidative stress and the clinical guidelines for testing oxidative stress-related sperm DNA fragmentation in this group of patients.

Dracaena arborea improves sperm characteristics and antioxidant enzymes in adult male rats with experimental varicocele

Objective:

We evaluated the preventive effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Dracaena arborea on sperm characteristics and oxidative stress markers in adult male rats with varicocele.

Methods:

Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into 6 groups (6 animals/group) and treated for 30 days as follows: (1), normal rats receiving distilled water (10 ml/kg); (2), sham operated rats receiving distilled water (10 ml/kg); (3), varicocele rats receiving distilled water (10 ml/kg); (4), varicocele rats receiving vitamin E (150 mg/kg); (5-6), varicocele rats administered respectively with aqueous (500 mg/kg) and ethanolic (100 mg/kg) extracts of D. arborea. All rats (except normal and sham-operated groups) underwent varicocele induction. At the end of the treatment period, sexual organ weights, oxidative stress, sperm characteristics and some biochemical parameters were measured.

Results:

A significant decrease (p<0.01) in sperm density (137.81±7.76 vs. 175.83±4.86), sperm motility (55.43±4.49 vs. 77.96± 3.15) and sperm normality (44.75±2.80 vs. 79.25±1.84) was noticed in varicocele-untreated rats compared with controls. Varicocele also induced oxidative stress by decreasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities, and increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. These alterations were prevented by D. arborea. For instance, the aqueous extract of D. arborea (500 mg/kg) significantly increased (p<0.05-0.001) testes and epididymis weights, sperm viability and sperm motility, while the ethanolic extract (100 mg/kg) increased sperm normality compared with varicocele-untreated rats. D. arborea extracts also decreased MDA levels, but elevated catalase activity.

Conclusions:

Dracaena arborea prevents the deleterious effects of varicocele and could be considered as an alternative treatment of this physiopathology.

Vitamins as primary or adjunctive treatment in infertile men with varicocele: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the usage and the efficacy of vitamins as primary or adjuvant treatment in infertile men with varicocele.

METHODS

A systematic search in PubMed, the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) and Cochrane Library with the terms (varicocele) AND (vitamins) was performed. We searched for studies: a) reporting the administration of vitamins (individually or as part of a complex) in men with varicocele and infertility, b) primarily or adjuvant to invasive treatment, and c) reporting the impact on semen parameters and/or pregnancy rates. Exclusion criteria were animal, adolescent and non-English studies, grey literature and trials reporting abstracts only.

RESULTS

Seven studies were identified eligible for qualitative analysis. All studies were randomised except one (case series). Vitamins were administered dominantly as part of antioxidant complex and only two studies used vitamins (C and E, respectively) as sole agent. In two studies, vitamin monotherapy resulted in improvement in semen quality, but the effect on pregnancy rates is unknown. One study reported no efficacy of adjuvant multivitamin treatment after embolisation in terms of both semen quality and pregnancy rates. Finally, four studies reported a positive effect of vitamins on semen parameters after varicocelectomy, but the effect on pregnancy rates is conflicting; one study reported improved pregnancy rates with adjuvant treatment, two studies did not evaluate the pregnancy rates, and in one study the outcome was unclear due to missing data.

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamins have been used mostly as part of an antioxidant panel for the management of infertile men with varicocele. Most studies have found a positive impact on semen parameters in selected men with varicocele and infertility, as primary or adjuvant treatment. However, the clinical benefit of vitamins administration on pregnancy rate is under-evaluated and should be the target of future research.

Varicocoele and oxidative stress: New perspectives from animal and human studies

BACKGROUND

Varicocoele (VCL), one of the main causes of male subfertility, negatively affects testicular function. Due to limited access to human testicular tissue, animal model studies have been used to evaluate molecular and, recently, epigenetic changes attributed to pathophysiology induced by VCL.

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to provide an update on the latest findings regarding the link between VCL-induced biochemical stress and molecular changes in germ cells and spermatozoa. Endocrine and antioxidant status, testicular chaperone-specific hemostasis failure, altered testicular ion balance, metabolic disorders, and altered carbon cycling during spermatogenesis are among the many features that will be presented.

DISCUSSION

Literature review coupled with our own findings suggests that ionic imbalance, hypoxia, hyperthermia, and altered blood flow could lead to severe chronic oxidative and nitrosative stress in patients with VCL leading to defective spermatogenesis and impairment of the integrity of all sperm cell components and compartments down to the epigenetic information they carry.

CONCLUSION

Since oxidative stress is an important feature of the reproductive pathology of VCL, therapeutic strategies such as the administration of appropriate antioxidants could be undertaken as a complementary non-invasive treatment line.

Dietary supplements in the management of varicocele-induced infertility: A review of potential mechanisms

Varicocele is a main cause of lower production of spermatozoon and infertility with multiple pathophysiological mechanisms. In the past decades, the use of dietary supplements has significantly increased due to both the modern lifestyle and the food shortages of the industrialised countries. The purpose of this review paper is to collect scientific evidences from basic and clinical studies which support the use of dietary supplements to define the clinical framework for patients with varicocele. In the present review, we used keywords such as dietary supplements, varicocele, male infertility, oxidative stress, DNA fragmentation, sperm parameters to find the proper articles. The standard search biomedical engines were used for seeking the papers. The use of dietary supplements such as minerals, vitamins and antioxidants has an essential role in the prevention and treatment of varicocele by increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes (e.g. peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase) and decreasing the levels of inflammatory markers (e.g. tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and interleukin-1) in testis. According to the results, the dietary supplements may alleviate the spermatogenesis in varicocele patients through different mechanisms such as suppression of stress oxidative and inflammation in testicular tissue.

Testosterone amplifies HSP70-2a, HSP90 and PCNA expression in experimental varicocele condition: Implication for DNA fragmentation

The DNA fragmentation and failure in post-meiotic maturation of the spermatozoa because of testosterone withdrawal can affect the fertilization potential in varicocele (VCL) patients. To find out the exact mechanism of VCL-induced failure in histone-protamine replacement process and DNA fragmentation, the correlations between the levels of expression of HSP70-2a, HSP90, PCNA, TP1/2 and PCNA genes and the patterns of DNA methylation were investigated before and after testosterone administration in rats. In total, 40 mature male Wistar rats (10 in each group) were assigned between control (with no intervention), control-sham (undergone a simple laparotomy), VCL-induced (VCL-sole), and testosterone-treated VCL-induced (VCLT) groups. The HSP70-2a, HSP90, PCNA, TP1, and TP2 genes expressions and the patterns of global DNA methylation were determined in all groups. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction were found in the HSP70-2a, HSP90, PCNA, TP1 and TP2 genes expressions in VCL-sole group. In VCLT group, testosterone was shown to significantly (p < 0.05) up-regulate the HSP70-2a, HSP90, PCNA, and TP2expression levels, but TP1 expression has not been changed. Furthermore, the VCLT group exhibited higher DNA methylation rates compared to VCL-sole animals. In conclusion, testosterone, by up-regulating the HSP70-2a and HSP90 expressions and maintaining the pre-existing HSP70-2a and HSP90 proteins levels, may be the reason for the significant increment in TP2 expression during post-meiotic stage and can boost the global methylation rates of DNA via up-regulating the PCNA expression, suggesting that administration of testosterone can mitigate the VCL-impaired histone-protamine replacement and DNA methylation rates and protect the cellular DNA content from VCL-induced oxidative stress.

Effects of autophagy on the spermatogonia of chronic hypoxic mice

Varicocele (VC) is a common cause of male infertility. An increasing number of studies have confirmed that chronic hypoxia plays an important role in male infertility caused by VC. Our previous study suggested that autophagy may have a crucial function in VC. Whether autophagy plays an important role in hypoxic spermatogonia remains unknown. We established a new method to study VC by culturing spermatogonia under hypoxic conditions to simulate the chronic hypoxic environment of VC. Moreover, the effects of autophagy on hypoxic spermatogonia were observed by regulating autophagy. Spermatogonia from GC-1 spg mice were cultured in vitro in chronic hypoxic conditions (2% O₂, 93% N₂, 5% CO₂) with a tri-gas incubator. Cells were separately cultured under normal oxygen and hypoxic conditions, and then, the autophagy blocker drug LY294002 was subsequently administered. Cytoactivity and proliferation were tested by CCK8 assays. Cells cultured in hypoxic conditions were divided into the hypoxia for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h groups and the LY294002+hypoxia for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h groups. Hoechst staining and flow cytometry/Annexin-V-FITC/PI staining were used to detect cell apoptosis, while transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the structure of the spermatogonia. Western blot analysis was used to observe the expression of Hif-1α, Beclin-1, LC3, SOD2, GPX4, and Cyt C. As the hypoxia time increased, CCK8 detection showed that the cytoactivity of the spermatogonia was suppressed. After administration of the inhibitor LY294002, the inhibition ratio of the spermatogonia increased. As the hypoxia time was prolonged, the apoptosis index of spermatogonia increased. After administration of LY294002, the apoptosis index increased significantly. Transmission electron microscopy showed that there were abundant structurally abnormal mitochondria and autophagosomes and autolysosomes in hypoxic spermatogonia. In addition, LY294002 reduced the expression of autophagosomes and autophagosomes, but the number of abnormal mitochondria and vacuoles in hypoxic cells increased significantly. As the hypoxia time was prolonged, the expression levels of Hif-1α, Beclin-1, LC3 II/LC3-I, and Cyt C increased gradually, but there were no significant changes in SOD2 and GPX4. After administration of LY294002, the expression levels of Beclin-1, LC3 II/LC3-I, and GPX4 significantly decreased, but Cyt C significantly increased. Thus, chronic hypoxia decreases cytoactivity and proliferation of spermatogonia. Moreover, hypoxia damages the mitochondria and other organelles. At the same time, hypoxia activates the autophagic system to clear these damaged organelles. The inhibition of autophagy in spermatogonia under chronic hypoxic conditions prevents the removal of damaged mitochondria and eventually results in a significant decrease in the antioxidant system molecule GPX4, rather than SOD2, and a significant increase in the apoptosis rate.

Berberine reinforces Sertoli cells niche and accelerates spermatogonial stem cells renewal in experimentally-induced varicocele condition in rats

BACKGROUND

Varicocele is present in 10-20% of the male infertile population.

PURPOSE

Present study was done to demonstrate the reinforcing effect of berberine (BBR), as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, on Sertoli cells-related niche and spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) self-renewal in experimentally-induced VCL condition.

STUDY DESIGN

50 mature male Wistar rats were divided into control, control-sham, non-treated VCL-induced, 50 mg kg^-1 and 100 mg kg^-1 BBR-treated VCL-induced groups.

METHODS

The Leydig and Sertoli cells distribution and Leydig cells steroidogenic activity, expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), proto-oncogene Rearranged during Transfection (c-RET) receptor, Ets variant gene 5 (Etv5) and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/lymphoma 6, member B (Bcl-6b) at mRNA and protein levels were analyzed. The mRNA integrity and DNA fragmentation were assessed. Finally, the serum levels of testosterone, inhibin B and testicular total antioxidant capacity, total thiol molecules, catalase, and malondialdehyde were evaluated.

RESULTS

Observations revealed that, the BBR significantly enhanced VCL-reduced Leydig and Sertoli cells population, maintained Leydig-Sertoli cells network, enhanced GDNF, c-RET Etv5 and Bcl6b expression, up-regulated testicular antioxidant and endocrine status.

CONCLUSION

The BBR by boosting Leydig-Sertoli cells network up-regulates the GDNF, Etv5 and Bcl-6b expression/synthesis in SSCs, which in turn improves SSCs self-renewal activities. Thus, the BBR could be considered as an appropriate agent for antioxidant therapy of VCLs. However, more studies with bigger sample number and focus on BBR-induced effects on other genes involving in the self-renewal process are needed to have more deterministic results.

Histological and Ultrastructure Study of the Testes of Acrylamide Exposed Adult Male Albino Rat and Evaluation of the Possible Protective Effect of Vitamin E Intake

Acrylamide (AA) is a hazardous unavoidable gonadal toxin. Hence, the aim of this study is to clarify its harmful effects on the testis of adult albino rat by light and electron microscope and to evaluate the possible role of Vitamin E (Vit E) in the prevention of such effects. Thirty-five adult male albino rats were enrolled in this study. They were divided into three groups: Group I (control); Group II (AA exposed), and Group III (AA and concomitant Vit E treated group). Animals of Groups II and III were further subdivided into two equal subgroups (each subgroup included five rats): (a) rats were sacrificed after 4 weeks and (b) rats were sacrificed after 6 weeks. The testes of each rat were dissected out, processed, and examined by Hematoxylin and Eosin, Periodic acid-Schiff and Mallory's trichrome stains as well as electron microscopic study. The study revealed that AA induces testicular damage at the histological and ultrastructural level in the form of degeneration and arrested spermatogenesis. Moreover, decreased seminiferous tubules diameters and epithelial height were detected. These changes are maximally improved in Vit E treated group. Hence, we could conclude that AA causes degenerative changes of the testes of albino rats and arrest of spermatogenesis. The AA-induced histological and ultrastructural changes of the testes could be explained by oxidative stress. These effects changes are proportional to the duration of exposure. Moreover, it could be concluded that Vitamin E has a protective role against AA-induced testicular damage by its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects.

The protective effects of GYY4137 on ipsilateral testicular injury in experimentally varicocele-induced rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether morpholin-4-ium 4 methoxyphenyl (morpholino) phosphonodithioate (GYY4137) exhibits a protective effect on ipsilateral testicular injury in experimentally varicocele (VC)-induced rats. A total of 48 rats were randomly divided into the following 6 groups (n=8 each): Group A (control group); group B (sham group); group C (VC group); group D (VC group administered 5 mg/kg/day GYY4137); group E (VC group administered 10 mg/kg/day GYY4137) and group F (VC group administered 20 mg/kg/day GYY4137). Indicators of oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation were measured to evaluate the effect of GYY4137 on ipsilateral testicular injury. Compared with groups A and B, rats in group C exhibited severe histological changes and an increase in oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation. By contrast, amelioration of testicular damage was evident in the group D, E and F that were treated with GYY4137. These results demonstrate that GYY4137 may be a promising therapy to treat VC as it alleviates oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation in experimentally VC-induced rats.

Comparative Expression Analysis of HSP70, HSP90, IL-4, TNF, KITLG and KIT-receptor Gene between Varicocele-Induced and Non-Varicocele Testes of Dog

Background

This study was designed to create an experimental varicocele model by a simple surgical procedure in dog with minimum invasion and to investigate the effect of varicocele-induced infertility on the expression of six related genes (HSP90, HSP70, IL-4, TNF, KITLG and KIT receptor).

Materials and Methods

In this experimental study, the proximal part of the pampini-form plexus of dog testes was partially occluded without abdominal incision which was confirmed by venographic examination. To evaluate varicocele in its acute form, dogs were castrated after 15 days and testes were dissected. Histopathologic evaluation was undertaken and the relative expression of the six genes was assessed by quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results

Microscopic changes showed tubule degeneration. The Johnson score was significantly decreased in the varicocele testes when compared with non-varicocele testes. Expressions of HSP90, TNF, KITLG and the KIT-receptor gene were significantly downregulated (P=0.029, 0.047, 0.004 and 0.035 respectively) in varicocele-induced testes while HSP70 was upregulated (P=0.018). IL-4 did not show differential expression (P=0.377).

Conclusion

We conclude that partial occlusion of the proximal part of the pampiniform plexus induces varicocele in the testis of dog. Differential expression of the mentioned genes may be responsible for the pathophysiology of varicocele and related subfertility.

Effect of varicocelectomy treatment on spermatogenesis and apoptosis via the induction of heat shock protein 70 in varicocele‑induced rats

In the current study, the hypothesis that testicular varicocelectomy improves spermatogenesis and attenuates apoptosis via the induction of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in a rat model of varicocele was investigated. Adult male Wistar rats (n=75) were randomly divided into 5 groups of 15 each: Control, sham, varicocele, varicocelectomy, and varicocelectomy plus Quercetin. A total of 6 weeks after the varicocelectomy, the left testis of all rats was removed for subsequent examination. Histological changes were compared between the groups. The expression of Hsp70 and apoptosis‑associated indicators were evaluated based on immunohistochemical, western blot and mRNA expression analyses. Compared with the varicocele group, the varicocelectomy group exhibited a markedly reduced Bcl‑2‑associated X protein/B‑cell lymphoma 2 (Bax/Bcl‑2) ratio, and had a decreased expression of caspase‑9, cytochrome c (cyt c) and caspase‑3 through the intrinsic signal transduction pathways. Quercetin treatment inhibited the protective effects of varicocelectomy. The expression of Hsp70 was increased in the varicocele group which was further elevated by the varicocelectomy. These results indicated that varicocelectomy can reduce the Bax/Bcl‑2 ratio, and decrease the levels of caspase‑9, cyt c and caspase‑3 via the mitochondrial signal transduction pathway. Such protective effects on left testis spermatogenesis and against apoptosis may be due to the induction of Hsp70. The findings of the present study suggested that varicocelectomy has a clear advantage in protecting testicular function and ameliorating spermatogenic cells apoptosis.

Tracing of zinc and iron in experimentally induced varicocele: correlation with oxidative, nitrosative and carbonyl stress

This study was designed to evaluate how varicocele (VCL) can time dependently induce zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) toxicity in testicular tissue and to analyse the relation between heavy metals toxicity and lipid peroxidation, sperm DNA damage, nitrosative and carbonyl stresses. Twenty-four mature male Wistar rats were divided into control-sham and test groups, which were then submitted to experimentally induced VCL. Non-VCL-induced rats were considered as control-sham. The test groups were subdivided into three groups based on the sample collecting date (2, 6 and 8 months after VCL induction). Zn and Fe distribution in testicles, DNA ladder for sperm DNA fragmentation, testicular total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite oxide (NO) and carbonyl groups (CG) were analysed. A significant (p < .05) enhancement in the percentage of tubules with negative tubular repopulation, differentiation and spermiogenesis indices was revealed. The VCL increased Zn and Fe distribution in testicles. The VCL, time dependently, reduced sperm count, motility and enhanced sperm DNA damage (p < .05). The VCL downregulated the testicular TAC and enhanced the MDA, NO and CG contents. Our data showed that the VCL results in intensive Fe and Zn toxicities. Produced Zn- and Fe-mediated-oxidative stress increases sperm DNA damage associated with NO and CG-induced stresses.